
National Collection 

of the 

European Relief Council 

1920-1921 



REPORT 



on the 

National Collection 

by the 

Control Committee 

to the 

European Relief Council 

Composed of 

American Friends' Service Committee 

American Red Cross 

American Relief Administration 

Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America 

Joint Distribution Committee 

Knights of Columbus 

National Catholic Welfare Council 

Young Men's Christian Association 

Young Women's Christian Association 



'^l-.^^ 



^"7-- 









A\^ . o ^ 



rl 

C 
^^ FOEEWOED 

X 'T^HIS report covers the method of organization and 

prominent features, from a national standpoint, 
■ of the National Collection of the European Relief 
Council, conducted under my supervision. 

A financial statement of the receipts and expendi- 
tures, audited by certified accountants, will be forth- 
coming as soon as examination of the books of the 
Council has been completed. 

In transmitting this report, I feel there should be 
in the chief workers throughout the country, their 
assistants and the half million of citizens who shared 
in this task of charity, the satisfaction that in having 
devoted themselves to J:he provision of feeding and 
clothing and medical service to this mass of children 
there has not only been brought about the saving of 
life and the relief of suffering, but there has been 
created happiness in millions of children and courage 
and resolution in tens of millions of parents. 

It would not have been possible for me and my 
associates and these great American associations to act 
as intermediaries to carry out this vast relief without 
the time and service rendered voluntarily by the work- 
ers in the National Collection. 




European Relief Council 

Herbert Hoover, Chairman 
Franklin K. Lane, Treasurer 

Dr. RuFus M. Jones American Friends' Service Committee 

Dr. Livingston Farrand . . American Red Cross 

Edgar Rickard American Relief Administration 

Dr. Arthur J. Brown Federal Council of the Churches of 

Christ in America 

Felix M. Warburg Joint Distribution Committee 

James A. Flaherty Knights of Columbus 

Michael J. Slattery National Catholic Welfare Council 

(joined February 24, 1921) 

C. V. HiBBARD Young Men's Christian Association 

Miss Sarah S. Lyon Young Women's Christian Association 

Christian A. Herter, Secretary 



Table of Contents 



PAGE 

Foreword — by Herbert Hoover 

1. Introduction 7 

2. Method of Organization 8 

3. Outstanding Developments and Policies 10 

4. Three Phases of the Collection 16 

5 . Prominent Features 23 

6. Important Notations 27 



Note — The financial report will be submitted at a 
later date in the form of an audit made by a firm of certi- 
fied accountants now completing the examination of the 
Council's books. 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



Introduction 

THIS report deals exclusively with the National 
Collection of the European Relief Council, 
which commenced officially on December 19, 
1920. The collection was the consummation of delib- 
erations of the Council covering a gamut of relief 
problems and was the result of a decision of the ei,ght 
organizations comprising the Council that the child life 
of Eastern and Central Europe should have priority 
over any other European Relief until the next harvest. 
It was determined, upon careful surveys, that the acute 
need involved 3,500,000 children and that the fund 
required was $33,000,000, of which $23,000,000 would 
cover the requirements for mass child feeding and 
clothing and $10,000,000, medical service and care. 

The field of relief operation of the distributing 
organizations of the Council extends into the countries 
of Poland, Austria and Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Fin- 
land, Serbia, Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ger- 
many (which country is under the exclusive super- 
vision of the American Friends' Service Committee) 
together with the children of Russian refugees who 
may be in or may come into these countries or localities 
outside of Russia proper, where it is possible to meet 
the need; also medical service and clothing are being 
furnished to 300,000 children in Serbia and other East- 
ern European countries where food is not required. 

In outlining the field of these distributing members, 
it should be borne in mind that the Council, as an 
entity, at no time assumed responsibility for the dis- 
tribution of relief; this remains in the individual dis- 
tributing member with respect to its own operations. 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



Attributes 

of 

Collection 



Before entering upon this report, it is worth bearing 
in mind that this collection, which met with entire suc- 
cess, has been the greatest collection from the Ameri- 
can public since the war and that it occurred during 
a period of financial depression and at a time when the 
community at large was just emerging from generous 
and repeated financial support of war activities. 

Moreover, apart from this general situation, there 
were in process immediate relief demands from the 
public, such as the annual roll-call of the American Red 
Cross, one of our own members; the churches were 
securing funds for European relief for their own de- 
nominations; and such projects as the Near East Rehef, 
and the China Fund for a critical situation in that 
country, were in the field or preparing their campaigns. 
However, the collection could not be delayed, for funds 
were immediately necessary to guarantee the full pro- 
gram. Despite the handicaps, there were, in the minds 
of the Control Committee four attributes of the Na- 
tional Collection which gave it great strength: 

1. The prestige of the Chairman and the general 
acceptance of his statements upon European relief as 
authoritative. 

2. Because the appeal was for children, it came 
close to the sympathies of the people. 

3. The consolidation, under one responsibility, of 
eight important American relief associations recognized 
for abihty and integrity with one object in view. 

4. The voluntary support of a large number of 
leading citizens in every state. 



I. Method or Organization 

Definite organization for the collection of $33,000,- 
000 was initiated at a management meeting of the 
European Relief Council on October 29, 1920. At that 



8 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



meeting, and in one or two subsequent meetings, plans 
were discussed and outlined. Four Committees were 
appointed: an Executive Committee, a Control Com- 
mittee, a Publicity Committee and a Finance Operat- 
ing Committee. Franklin K. Lane consented to act 
as Treasurer and was officially appointed by the Council. 

The Executive Committee was composed of one rep- Executive, 
resentative from each of the eight organizations com- p°"fr°'' 
prising the Council with Mr. Hoover as Chairman, and Finance 
This Committee did not meet regularly, but it was Committees 
arranged that its members should establish their physi- 
cal headquarters with the Control Committee in order 
to bring about entire national cohesion throughout their 
own organizations. These members were in almost 
daily session with the Control Committee. 

The Control Committee, appointed by Chairman Confro/ 
Hoover, directed the organization and administration 
of the Collection. It took charge under the direction 
of the Chairman, supervised policies, and co-ordinated 
the activities of other committees and various assisting 
organizations, meeting formally with the Executive 
Committee when necessary to paSs upon certain expen- 
ditures. 

The Publicity Committee, appointed by the Chair- P^f^tidty 
man, took charge of all National pubhcity and the 
preparation of informative material for newspapers and 
publications. 

As the American Relief Administration was already 
operating a Publicity Bureau for its Business Men's 
Appeal, which was absorbed by the National Collec- 
tion, the publicity work was carried on through this 
Bureau, which established a Press Department to cover 
the development and distribution of material. This 
adoption proved an economical and prompt solution in 
the organization of an important branch of activity. 
Through able preparation of material and its dissemi- 



EUEOPEAN EELIEr COUNCIL 



nation by four regional representatives, the department 
secured news space and editorial comment in surprising 
quantity. It deserves high commendation, for enor- 
mous variety and distribution were accomplished at 
cost of a httle over $50,000, a strikingly low figure for 
such a national undertaking. 
Finance rjij^^ Fiuaucc Operating Conmiittee was appointed 

by the National Chairman, and took charge of opera- 
tions for collections and disbursements, organizing a 
Comptroller's office for receiving and receipting for 
money and the making of authorized disbursements for 
campaign expenses. It was arranged that the collec- 
tions made in the American Relief Administration's 
Business Men's Appeal should be credited to the Na- 
tional Collection. In view of the fact that all moneys 
collected throughout the country came into this depart- 
ment, the mass of detail reached necessarily large 
proportions, the direct subscriptions alone to its office, 
principally in small denominations, amounting to over 
$4,000,000. 

These four Committtees operated separately with 
co-ordination through the Control Committee and the 
National Chairman. 

II. Outstanding Developments and Policies 

Head- National Headquarters were established at 42 

guarters ^roadway, New York City. The Headquarters' Office 
of the Control Committee was comprised of the fol- 
lowing departments: 

(a) An Organization and Administration Staff. 

(b) A Field Organization Staff. 

(c) A Pubhcation Bureau. 

(d) A Voluntary Speakers' Bureau. 

These titles are sufficiently definitive without further 
description. 

10 



EUROPEAN BELIEF COUNCIL 



There was an agreed policy to proceed on a basis ^*'*'* 
of decentralized voluntary state organizations. These ^^tmn 
State Committees were formed so far as possible out 
of representatives of the component organizations con- 
senting to serve. Members were added either in an 
honorary or active capacity at the discretion of each 
local body. 

The American Relief Administration had already 
secured some sixteen Chairmen for its Business Men's 
Appeal and eleven of these took over the work of the 
National Collection in their states at our request. 

In three other states these Chairmen, although 
unable to act themselves, were directly instrumental in 
securing the Chairmen. Again, in three other states 
the early Chairmen dropped out entirely. Thus four- 
teen states already had leadership. 

To the remaining states a joint telegram was sent 
from Mr. Hoover, Dr. Livingston Farrand of the Red 
Cross, and Mr. Felix M. Warburg of the Joint Dis- 
tribution Committee, requesting each representative to 
communicate with the others and arrange an organi- 
zation meeting in their state. Some difficulties were 
encountered in the hesitation of respective representa- 
tives to take the first step to arrange such a meeting. 
The Red Cross, for instance, felt it unwise to have its 
representatives assume the lead in organization or 
accept State Chairmanship. Often the representatives 
of other organizations did not feel ready to assume the 
responsibility. On these occasions the Control Com- 
mittee found the Chairman. The principal reason for 
this method of initiating state organizations was in 
order to enlist the real co-operation of representatives 
by placing upon them at once a sense of service. 

When State Chairmanship had been secured, Head- Relations— 
quarters sent two memoranda outlining the National g^arters 
Collection, together with a set of material giving full with states 

11 



EUROPEAN EELIEF COUNCIL 



data regarding the needs in Europe, the purpose and 
objects of the European Rehef Council and organiza- 
tion plans. This was immediately followed by general 
and specific suggestions as to methods of campaigning. 
The states were also advised of a decision by the Treas- 
ury Department of the Federal Government to the 
effect that whereas the Council had as its constituent 
members corporations or associations representing ap- 
proximately ninety-eight per cent of the present organ- 
ized charitable relief in Europe, that contributions to 
it were deductible in the Federal income tax returns. 

The procedure throughout with the State Chairmen 
was based on decentrahzation of decision and authority, 
the penetration of National Headquarters into the 
State Committees being confined to general policy 
supervision, suggested activities and establishment of 
a financial system for state expense budgets. This 
niethod proved successful because in the majority of 
states the prestige and creative energies of the State 
Committee were continuously called upon; certainly it 
was successful wherever the Chairman and the Com- 
mittee became thoroughly acquainted with the objects 
and composition of the European Relief Council and 
made a study of the problems facing the European 
children. 

With one exception, every Chairman continued 
throughout the collection. 

Certain national movements, because of their nature, 
were entirely in the hands of the National Head- 
quarters. 
State ^g soon as state organization came into existence, 

appointment of a State Treasurer and designation of 
a State Depository for funds were requested. A Na- 
tional Depository was estabhshed in New York City. 
The State Chairmen were advised to employ whatever 
assistance was needed and to submit a budget of expense 



Costs 



12 



EUKOPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



to Headquarters. State expenses were paid from 
National Headquarters and not out of funds collected. 
Particular stress was laid upon a careful system of 
accounting and vouchers. In this relation, the financial 
arrangements inspired the confidence of the people 
because of the limited paid assistance and the fact that 
the collection was made on a budget system, the cost 
of which was borne out of funds made available by 
the American Friends' Service Committee, American 
Red Cross, American Relief Administration and the 
Joint Distribution Committee. In most states there 
was a paid Executive Secretary and such other clerical 
help as was needed to carry out the work efficiently. 
In every instance the Chairman and the Committee 
members were volunteers, and in nearly every case the 
Chairman was in active charge of the State collection. 

By the nineteenth of December, when the campaign 
officially opened, thirty-nine State Committees had been 
organized. In the remaining states, in several instances, 
we were beset with difficulties in securing an effective 
man for Chairman, very largely due to weariness over 
war drives, and to the tense preoccupation of business 
men caused by the economic situation. 

Organization was soon completed in every state; 
also Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Canal 
Zone, from where, it is interesting to note, we had sub- 
stantial contribution. 

Special stress was laid upon the following points, '*«'"''<="'«'" 
not only at the beginning but throughout the collection : j^^^ts^ 

1. To impress upon the people the signifi- 
cance of the consolidation of these eight great 
organizations for a specific purpose. 

2. To understand the scope and meaning of 
the relief work in Europe. 

3. To emphasize the efficiency of this relief 
work, its non-pauperization methods, the financ- 

13 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



ing out of funds independent of collections, and 
the conduct of child feeding in any European 
country only on the contribution by local gov- 
ernments of transportation, administrative as- 
sistance and local available foodstuffs suitable 
for undernourished and starving children. 
The first informative material distributed was re- 
prints of matter prepared for the American Relief 
Administration Business Men's Appeal, which was 
ready for distribution. In addition to this, the "Appeal 
to the American People," signed by the component 
members of the European Relief Council, was sent 
broadcast. 

Preparation of material which covered the scope of 
medical service and relief activities of all the distribut- 
ing organizations in the Council was under way at the 
outset and followed the literature already at hand. 
Publica- The PubHcation Bureau, in co-operation with the 

tions; no Publicity Department, produced a number of pam- 
Advertising phlcts uscd throughout the country. The most widely 
distributed was a four-page folder, " Shall It Be Life 
or Death? " printed in two sizes. A limited number 
of effective documents to receive wide distribution 
rather than numerous hastily drawn pamphlets saved 
money and lent appropriate dignity to the appeal. The 
pohcy was established not to enter into a paid adver- 
tising campaign, as it was believed, and later develop- 
ments confirmed this belief, that the expenses would 
not be warranted. There is no doubt this policy was 
highly approved by the contributing public. In place 
of this, arrangements were made with the Western 
Newspaper Union whereby three large size advertise- 
ments were set up and the mats made available to any 
newspaper in the country, so that, if the local commit- 
tees could secure individual underwriters, proper 
authoritative material would be ready. Furthermore, 

14 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



two pages of reading matter were prepared and sent 
to all newspapers. 

In addition to the work of the Publicity Depart- 
ment, the bulletins and pamphlets of the various com- 
ponent organizations of the European Relief Council 
gave excellent assistance. One phase of the pubUcity 
which succeeded admirably and to which may be at- 
tributed a large part of the " country " contribution 
was the co-operation secured from the farm journals. 

Another decision was to refrain from printing any ^o 
national posters. A poster was donated by the Joint p^^J°"" 
Distribution Committee and used, and a number of 
states printed a limited supply of posters and plac- 
ards for local consimiption. It seems certain that this 
decision saved a considerable amount of money without 
jeopardizing results. 

The National Speakers' Bureau was particularly^''®"*®'''* 
advantageous as it was not necessary to keep speakers 
under salary, the effort from Headquarters being con- 
iined to important gatherings with the policy that the 
State Committee secure local talent. Whenever there 
was a demand for speakers, most able men were secured 
who gave their services. 

The Field Organization Staff was a most valuable ^'^'"^ 

... Stjuaoron 

adjunct to National Headquarters, for without its aid 
a number of states would have been unable to overcome 
serious difficulties. This staff, numbering twelve men, 
furnished out of the component organizations of the 
Council, was called in at an early date, held numerous 
conferences to absorb the spirit and policies of the 
effort, and eventually visited twenty-five State Com- 
mittees. In a number of cases such visits aided in or- 
ganizing the state or starting the conmiittee activity 
along most important channels. In other cases they 
rejuvenated states which were in the process of closing 
their campaigns before producing satisfactory results. 

15 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



This staff operated as personal representatives of 
National Headquarters; they were not sent with any 
authority over State Committees, but solely to assist 
those committees and give the States closer contact with 
each other and Headquarters. They made an excep- 
tionally fine record in an emergency undertaking. 

III. Three Phases of the Collection 

The National Collection passed through three phases 
of development: 

1. The first, from the official opening of the cam- 
paign on December nineteenth to a survey occurring 
January fifteenth, when about half of the required 
amount could be counted upon. 

2. The second, from January fifteenth, when quotas 
were assigned for adoption by the states, to the first 
week in March, at which time announcement was made 
that thirty-six out of forty-eight states were closing 
their intensive campaigns, and when we estimated that 
we could be confident of an amount approaching $29,- 
000,000, made up of cash, pledges and expectancies, 
based on careful reports. 

3. The final phase extended from this first week 
in March through April first, when approximately four- 
teen states, which had voluntarily decided to continue 
beyond the fifteenth of March because of late organiza- 
tion, were advised to close their campaigns. 

A. First Phase 
The first period included the holiday season, the 
Campaign being publicly opened at the Metropolitan 
Opera House on December nineteenth, when Mr. 
Hoover presented to the people of the country the 
needs of the children of Europe with the plea that 
America should take 3,500,000 children into their homes 
as " Invisible Guests." 



16 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



In a review of the opening of this appeal for $33,-^'*®'''""^ 
000,000 to the American people, an initial position 
should be given to the Literary Digest campaign, car- 
ried on from the time of its publication of a letter from 
Mr. Hoover on October thirtieth together with an 
appeal for funds for child feeding. With the power 
of its reputation and large circulation it not only real- 
ized about two and one-half million dollars in contribu- 
tions, but gave the whole Collection its first national 
impulse. 

The importance of this action on the part of the 
Literary Digest cannot be overestimated. It took up 
the cause of the children in Europe, at the outset, for 
the benefit of the American Relief Administration at 
a time when it proved of powerful assistance to that 
organization whose activities were merged at once into 
the National Collection of the European Relief Coun- 
cil. Moreover, when the National Collection was 
launched, the Literary Digest threw its whole force into 
assisting this combined effort and made itself an en- 
thusiastic and potent supporter. 

An important feature of the campaign was a letter Church 
drawn up for distribution by the Federal Council of ''''*" 
Churches of Christ in America to a large proportion of 
the Protestant Churches of the Country, requesting 
that our appeal be presented and that Church contribu- 
tions be made on Sunday, December nineteenth. It 
was found that this appeal, although presented in many 
churches on this date, continued to be made for the next 
six weeks in those churches not able to act on the speci- 
fied date. Although we had substantial response from 
this source it transpired that during and previous to 
our collection many denominations were conducting 
their own campaigns for general relief abroad. Due 
to this situation, we are naturally handicapped, and it 
is appropriate to conclude that denominational cam- 

17 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



Guest 



paigns were incidentally assisted through our church 
appeal and by our widespread publicity and recitation 
of child conditions in Europe. 

Invisible j^ prominent feature of the campaign developed in 

this period and should be mentioned here. Early in 
December, in a series of informal meetings in Mr. 
Hoover's office respecting a dinner undertaken by the 
New York Committee, the idea of a vacant chair to 
represent an absent member was presented. The de- 
velopment of this idea into the phrase " Invisible Guest " 
produced an emotional keynote for the remainder of the 
campaign. Its evolution and refinement came through 
the common council of ideas, characteristic of the 
methods of the Chairman. The entertainment of the 
" Invisible Guest " in the American home was stressed, 
and to its influence on the spiritual and charitable in- 
stincts of the people may be attributed thousands of 
donations, large and small, from every quarter. 

Invisible Qut of the " Invisible Guest " idea developed the 

" Invisible Guest " dinner, which was used successfully 
in many states, the first of these dinners being held at 
the Commodore Hotel, New York City, on December 
twenty-ninth. Such gatherings served to visualize to 
the public the meaning of their effort. The plan 
of the dinner was to serve each guest the same meal 
fed in the European Child Feeding Stations. The 
Army Quartermaster supplied plates and cups, the 
hotel furnished the meal, and Red Cross volunteers 
served the food on bare tables. At the Speakers' Table, 
between Mr. Hoover and General Pershing, was placed 
a child's high chair with a lighted candle in it, symbolic 
of the " Invisible Guest " — the helpless children of 
Europe. The guests at the dinner were those workers 
or individuals or representatives of those associations 
who had each secured provision for upwards of one 
hundred " Invisible Guests." 

18 



Guest 
Dinners 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



It became impossible to meet the demand for Mr. 
Hoover's presence at these affairs, which developed 
widely, in spite of his continuous and tireless response 
for several weeks which lent so largely to the progress 
of the collection. 



In view of the necessary delays which occurred in Halfway 

Mark in 
Collection 



co-ordinating the varied machinery of eight reUef ""^ '" 



bodies, time for organization throughout the country 
had been limited to a short period before the official 
opening of the campaign, and it soon became evident that 
the collection could not end at an early date after the 
holiday season. The national publicity, although it had 
been under way for only two weeks, with splendid 
organization, was increasing enormously, and reached 
its point of wide circulation only by January fifteenth. 
The appeal was so strong and the interest of the pubHc 
increasing to such an extent it was obviously not pos- 
sible to receive the benefit of the response in a short 
period. With this fact before the Control Committee, 
the State Chairmen were requested to make a full state- 
ment of conditions in their states and report so far as 
possible the amount of money actually raised up to the 
fifteenth of January. It must be remembered that at 
this time there were many states which were just get- 
ting under way and therefore could give no definite 
information. However, the reports indicated that, in- 
cluding moneys to be available from special sources, 
$1,000,000 from Mr. Rockefeller, the actual returns to 
date from all states, the money collected through the 
Literary Digest and other possible sources, we could 
have in hand approximately one-half our needs. 

The enlistment of such National organizations as 
the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, National Chamber of 
Commerce and the endorsement by Governors of States 
were all accomplished in this period. 

19 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



B. Second Phase 



Progress 
in States 



Motion 
Pictures 



Y.W.C.A. 



The second phase of the campaign started with 
the imposition of suggested quotas among the states. 
It was the view that, although up to this time, due to 
the general economic depression throughout the coun- 
try, it had not been wise to impose a definite quota 
upon a state, the situation had sufficiently developed 
where it would be helpful to state committees to have 
a suggestion from us as to what their total quota ought 
to be in order to successfully consummate the collection. 
Moreover, it was most important at this stage of the 
national effort, in fhe face of a decentralized organiza- 
tion and the responsibilit}^ placed in the hands of 
state committees, that we secure a reaction from our 
State Chairmen which would give us a bearing on state 
conditions in order to calculate with some degree of 
definiteness the possibilities of the country at large. 
This procedure proved most beneficial to the state or- 
ganizations and gave us a barometric reading. 

It was during this second phase that the Motion 
Picture Industry disseminated throughout the country 
the " Invisible Guest " film, and organized the Motion 
Picture Managers for collections and contributions from 
receipts on the days of January twenty-sixth and 
twenty-ninth. This movement, apart from its value in 
ultimately furnishing further moneys in substantial 
amount, served as a powerful publicity organ. The 
interest and labor of our Motion Picture friends were 
so energetic and widespread it would be difficult to esti- 
mate the value of their efforts. 

The Young Women's Christian Association felt that 
as a component member of the Council it should under- 
take a definite activity on its part, and on a given date 
throughout the country devoted the proceeds of its Cafe- 
terias' lunches to the Council. 



20 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



It was also during this period that national efforts 
were made by such important fraternal organizations 
as the Masons, Elks, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, 
etc. 

The second phase actually proved to be the most 
intensive portion of the campaign, for publicity had 
reached its height, state organizations were most active 
and the varied national efforts were receiving the 
maximum of stimulation. 

It was at the end of this phase, during the latter ^*^p* '° 
part of February, that it was possible to make the Collection 
announcement that thirty-six out of forty-eight states 
were to finish their campaigns by March fifteenth, and 
that with pledges and expectancies in the amount of 
$2,000,000 to come from the balance of the states which 
decided voluntarily to continue, we were confident of 
an amount between $28,000,000 and $29,000,000. Be- 
cause of these facts, the European Relief Council was 
able to reach a decision as to a division of funds available 
from all sources among the distributing organizations. 
Extracts from the minutes of the European Relief 
Council under date of February twenty-fourth, 1921, 
are quoted below, defining the action taken. The Chair- 
man, in analyzing the origin of the amount estimated as 
available, stated: 

" that previous understandings had assured the 
following resources direct to the societies which 
should be considered as priorities to them. 

$5,000,000 to the American Red Cross; 
3,250,000 to the American Relief Administra- 
tion; 
2,200,000 to the Jewish Joint Distribution 
Committee. 
700,000 to the American Friends' Service 
Committee ; 



21 



EUROPEAN BELIEF COUNCIL 



Thus, there remained approximately $17,600,000 
available for division. 

The Chairman read an exchange of correspondence 
between himself and Mr. Warburg regarding a settle- 
ment with the Joint Distribution Committee, and with 
Mr. Jones and Mr. Thomas regarding settlement with 
the American Friends' Service Committee, all of which 
was ratified by the Council. 

After discussion of the respective necessities and 
available funds the following resolutions were proposed 
and carried: 

Resolved, That the sum of $5,000,000 be 
paid over by the Council to the American Red 
Cross for medical care and attention to children, 
in addition to their own subvention of $5,000,000 
and that from this allocation the Red Cross 
should provide for such portion of the medical 
service of the Jewish Joint Distribution Com- 
mittee as may be agreed upon between them. 

On motion, duly seconded and carried, it was 
Resolved, That after provision of this 
amount to the American Red Cross, all remain- 
ing balance, approximately $12,600,000, should 
be allocated to the American Relief Administra- 
tion and that the arrangements proposed in the 
correspondence between the Ainerican Relief 
Administration and the Joint Distribution Com- 
mittee and between the American Relief Ad- 
ministration and the American Friends' Service 
Committee are unanimously approved. 

On motion, duly seconded and carried, it was 
Resolved, That the American Relief Ad- 
ministration be authorized to take over and 
Hquidate the entire drive, the Red Cross under- 
taking to contribute $100,000 to the cost 
thereof." 

It should be noted that during this collection there 
was occurring a special drive among the colleges and 

22 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



higher schools of the country for European Student 
relief by the Young Men's Christian Association, based 
on an understanding that had been reached between 
this organization and the American Relief Adminis- 
tration. In view of the fact that this special appeal 
was being conducted under the auspices of Mr. Hoover, 
many of these schools and colleges came to consider that 
it was a part of the National Collection for child relief 
and therefore arrangements were made with the Young 
Men's Christian Association that our State Chairmen 
should assist in collecting this special fund as well. 

C. Third Phase 

The third and last period of collection confined cam- ^'°*« ^f 
paign activities to fourteen states, the closing of our 
active publicity and plans for final reports and account- 
ing; in fact it was on the fifteenth of March that the 
Publicity Department was able to end. 

At the opening of this last phase, early in March, 
it was announced publicly that with the assurance at 
the time of practically twenty-nine million dollars, the 
National Collection was being brought to an end. It 
was stated that with the reduction in costs, resulting 
from lower prices for food conmiodities, the program 
set forth could be met with a sum less than originally 
announced, and that therefore further country-wide 
demand upon the public was unnecessary. 

Finally, the fourteen states continuing were re- 
quested to cease their operations by April first. 

IV. Prominent Features 

The value and strength the component organizations Member 
of the Council rendered this collection cannot be given /*""'"" 

y ttons 

concretely because of the variety and breadth of influ- 
ences they exerted. Many of our State Committee 
reports contain material which sets forth the accom- 

2Z 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



American 
Friends* 
Service 
Committee 



American 
Red Cross 



American 
Relief 
Adminis- 
tration 



plishments of the members and committees of these 
organizations, and this report would have to be of great 
length to cover this aspect of the appeal. The fact that 
with one exception the members of these organizations 
on our Executive Committee were invariably present 
from day to day at National Headquarters, dealing 
with every matter which could be taken up with their 
people throughout the country speaks for the co-opera- 
tion and collaboration of the member associations of the 
Council. 

The American Friends' Service Committee, al- 
though collecting funds through its own channels for 
child relief in Germany, rendered most valuable assist- 
ance in all parts of the country through its volunteer 
membership. Three states were headed by representa- 
tives of this organization and through its members at 
Headquarters substantial support of state committees 
was most evident. The services of its appointees on the 
Field Organization Staff were volunteered and of great 
help. 

The direct effort of the American Red Cross in its 
own organization was toward the contribution of funds 
from local Red Cross Chapters throughout the country. 
This realized in direct returns approximately $600,000. 
Moreover, a movement of this nature by an organiza- 
tion of such wide influence and standing as the Ameri- 
can Red Cross helped to impress upon the public the 
importance not only of the consolidation of outstanding 
American associations for a single purpose, but also that 
this rescuing of child life in Europe was essential. The 
widespread membership of the Red Cross brought large 
and scattered individual voluntary support. 

The American Relief Administration, not being a 
permanent organization, had no national equipment 
and secured its representatives, apart from those con- 



24 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



tinuing from its Business Men's Appeal, by direct re- 
quest of its Chairman, Mr. Hoover. In many instances 
the State Chairmanship was borne by the American 
Rehef Administration's representative and the bulk of 
its contribution to the active work was in such capacity 
as no organization of its own existed in any state. 

The 

The contribution of the Federal Council of Churches, Federal 
apart from the efforts of its members at National Head- Council of 
quarters, has already been set forth in another portion ^. ""7 .** 

of this report. m America 

The Joint Distribution Committee was of positive jofnt z?/s- 
assistance in securing quick state organization and {ntribution 
stimulating its state representatives to bring about 
results. Among its state representatives there were 
several striking examples of splendid organization and 
administrative accomplishment. This group exhibited 
a constant universal co-operation. 

The Knights of Columbus furnished a very covn- Knights of 
plete group of representatives for state organization ^°'"'"^"* 
and, apart from support of state committees, secured 
contributions through some of their chapters. 

The National Catholic Welfare Council did not The 
join the European Relief Council until February ^°^'°"f' 
twenty-fourth, 1921, when organization was complete v^eZ/are 
and the campaign drawing to a close. Under ih^Coundi 
circumstances, that Council, naturally, did not take an 
active part in the collection. 

The individual effort of the Young Men's Christian Young 
Association, though outside the Council Appeal, as^^"'*. 
stated previously, was the securing of funds from insti- AlsLZtion 
tutions of education for student relief in Europe. At 
the same time the association contributed most substan- 
tially to the collection in the support received from a 
great number of its representatives. In several instances 

25 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



men connected with this Association acted as Chairmen 
of State Committees or served in the capacity of State 
Directors or Executives. The national organization 
gave great assistance in its constant attendance upon 
the various problems which Headquarters had to handle. 

Young An important activity of the Young Women's Chris- 

Women's ^'^^j^ Associatiou has already been mentioned in its col- 
Association Icctious in cafctcrias. In many instances its members 
were in charge of the women's work in the states, and 
this group again was most helpful in securing and 
directing the effort of its representatives from National 
Headquarters. 

Commodity Whcu our appeal penetrated the agricultural states, 
Donations ^^ found in Several instances that those desiring to give 
were substantially handicapped because the whole com- 
munity was in a condition of financial stringency, due 
to the general economic depression. When brought to 
our attention we were able to assist this situation mate- 
rially by arranging with the American Relief Adminis- 
tration to accept gifts of food in kind that could be 
applied on the child feeding program and also that this 
organization purchase, prices being favorable, food- 
stuffs produced in those states in which surplus stocks 
had brought acute financial conditions. In connection 
with this matter, it should be borne in mind that the 
entire proceeds of the collection were not available for 
food purchases as substantial sums were to be expended 
in medical care and service as foregoing portions of the 
report have already outlined. 

Community While all the Community Chests of the country 
Chests were asked to contribute, in the early plans of organi- 
zation representations were made personally to the 
large Chests. By the end of the campaign thirty Com- 
munity or War Chests had either contributed or had 
made definite arrangements with us to furnish specific 

26 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



amounts. The contribution from these sources was 
approximately $1,000,000. With high regard for the 
constructive plan of giving contained in the Community 
Chest idea, it was our policy to present our appeal to 
them and be entirely guided by their proposals as to a 
collection from their respective communities. By this 
method we felt we were assisting toward a country-wide 
development of this wise scheme of handling the public 
support of charities. Moreover, because there existed 
a constructive organization such as the National In- 
formation Bureau, which made a personal investigation 
of conditions in Europe through its Director, Mr. Barry 
Smith, we found a valuable source through which the 
various Community Chests could secure an independent 
opinion, not only of the needs but the operation of 
American relief in the various countries of Europe. 

The economic situation throughout the country had life 
changed so materially since the "war drives," we es-*2"°*"* 
tablished the principle of not imposing quotas on the 
old war drive basis. Where quotas were requested, they 
were assigned in the number of lives saved rather than 
in dollars. Out of this there grew a number of pictur- 
esque schemes of raising funds in many localities. The 
thought of saving a life for Ten Dollars carried a dis- 
tinct appeal. Furthermore, it brought home to the 
people the efficiency with which the operations in 
Europe were conducted. 

To extend this idea, an " Invisible Guest " certifi- 
cate was prepared and used as a receipt for contribu- 
tions so far as possible. 

The enlistment by Headquarters of national bodies National 
in aid of the National Collection was an important^''**"''* 
phase. In addition to urging all State Committees to 
secure the co-operation of social, civic and business or- 
ganizations, such groups as the Rotary and Kiwanis 

27 



EUEOPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



Cost of 
Collection 



Leaders in 
Collection 



Women's 
Activity 



Clubs, United States Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal 
orders, Boy and Girl Scouts, Junior Red Cross, Ameri- 
can Express, racial societies, etc., endorsed the move- 
ment and enlisted the support of their local organiza- 
tions. Both President Wilson and President-elect 
Harding endorsed the appeal and each took a number 
of these guests into their homes. Practically all the 
Governors of states, as well, endorsed the collection, 
and a number issued proclamations. 

V. Important Notations 

The expenses of the campaign, as stated elsewhere, 
were borne to some extent by the component associa- 
tions, but in the main by the American Relief Adminis- 
tration who provided the necessary funds out of the net 
income of its Food Draft operations for the benefit of 
child feeding. Thus the costs did not fall upon the 
donors to this collection. When considered in connec- 
tion with the amount of money raised, the total expense 
figures substantially less than two and one-half per 
cent of that amount. 

Proportionate to its financial resources, the territory 
of Alaska led every committee, insular and state, in 
the size of its contribution. North Dakota takes the 
leading position among the states in this regard and 
Oregon was the first to obtain its quota. 

The influence and active labors of the women of the 
country in this collection cannot be over-estimated. Its 
object naturally appealed to their sympathy. Their 
universal presence upon local and state committees, 
their attendance at public gatherings in support of this 
appeal, a composite picture of the Invisible Guest Din- 
ners of the country, all vividly illustrate their response 
to the call of helpless children. We believe that the 
interest shown by the women in this cause was a moving 

28 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



factor in the large number of individual and wide- 
spread donations. The extensive support of the schools, 
so apparent in the returns, can be attributed in great 
measure to those women who are devoting their lives 
to the education of the children of the land. 

This collection, its needs and preparations, were inTypeof 
the nature of emergency, and if the groundwork had "''p**'^ 
been prepared and finished before it was launched, a 
period of three months' preliminary organization would 
have been necessary. Under these circumstances, the 
cost would have been undoubtedly much greater and 
there is a very distinct question whether the results of 
more intensive preliminary work, with the increased 
cost, would have been any more advantageous. It would 
seem that a more extended preparation might have 
destroyed enthusiasm. All of this marks the type of 
citizens who associated themselves with this movement. 

Despite the fact that there was practically no paid Prea« 
advertising, the press gave most generously of their ^"pp^^ 
space, both in the news and editorial columns. The 
initiative displayed by editors of the daily, weekly and 
monthly publications and many trade journals must be 
recognized as one of the prime factors in the progress 
of the appeal. 

Another striking feature was the quick response and Public 
confidence inspired in the contributing public when -A"*"**®" 
there was brought to their attention the methods under 
which the relief was conducted in Europe. 

Although there was stressed throughout the appeal 5maH 
the importance of personal solicitation, as it was f elt ^*»"*"^"- 
that the economic depression would render funds more 
easily available from those able to contribute substan- 
tially, the number and country-wide distribution of 
small contributions speaks for a universal support, 
which was surprising and outstripped all calculation. 

29 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



Volunteers There were over three thousand volunteer commit- 
tees scattered throughout the United States. 



Safeguard 
in Expend' 
ing Funds 



Unusual 
Qualities 

of Service 



These committees and their supporters no doubt 
experienced a certain amount of overlapping of appeals 
in view of the activities of eight separate large organi- 
zations working for one purpose. This, however, was 
bound to occur in an emergency combination, and any 
duplication of appeal was entirely unimportant when 
it is considered that the formation of the Council was 
largely for the purpose of making certain that in 
Europe there would be no overlapping of the expen- 
diture of the funds collected. 

Although the services and efforts of individual 
workers throughout this collection had the impetus 
which is so universal when children are helpless and 
in this instance the innocent sufferers and pitiful wreck- 
age of war, in a work of this nature there have existed 
most natural possibilities for misunderstandings and 
difficulties, especially where so many of the workers 
were unknown to each other; therefore, with the 
close of the campaign there is a sense of real appre- 
ciation for the unusual forbearance and spirit of co- 
operation which has been so marked in State Chairmen 
and their associates. The success of the collection rested 
very largely in the leadership and organization plans of 
these executives. Without their individual initiative and 
willingness to accept our suggestions. Headquarters 
would have been entirely unable to have brought the 
national effort to a successful conclusion. 

Moreover, whatever success there has been in the 
work of the Control Committee, a large measure of 
tribute must be extended to the members of the staff, 
without whom this Committee could not have borne 
its responsibilities. The sources of appreciation and 
admiration for their labors rest chiefly in the fact that 



30 



EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL 



they spent their energies with a sense of service which 
sought no personal glory, but only the satisfaction of 
serving a vital charity. There was constantly present 
in their work the reflection of that type of service 
rendered the American public for over six years by 
our eminent Chairman under whom we have been 
privileged to conduct our activities. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Herbert L. Gutterson, Chairman; 
H. J. Hughes. 



51 



jjJBRARY OF CONGRESS 

020 953 152 5 ' 






